Penrith children have helped local police solve a 'bear faced' kidnap plot which took place yesterday (9 August) in the town’s library.
Around 30 fledging flatfoots joined library staff and the town’s Police Community Support Officer Joanne McGarr to track down a kidnapped teddy bear as part of Cumbria County Council’s special Summer Reading Challenge.
The challenge, which this year is based around a spy theme, encourages youngsters to make the most of the long summer break by paying a visit to their local library.
As part of yesterday's event organised by Penrith library staff, budding super sleuths followed a series of clues to track down the missing 'Mr Bear' with the aid of police fingerprint and footprint testing kits.
More forensic work by the children revealed the kidnapper to be none other than Penrith library’s very own senior librarian Deborah Holden who said she was happy to "bear full responsibility" for the crime and agreed to donate her ransom request - a copy of the bestselling children's spy book Stormbreaker - as a competition prize for children in Eden who complete this year's Summer Reading Challenge.
Councillor Roger Bingham, the cabinet member responsible for library services, said:
"The Summer Reading Challenge helps our cubs to retain a claws on approach to literacy during the long school holiday which will hopefully ensure that when they are back at their desks, their teachers will be sure of a big surprise."
For junior detectives taking part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, there are host of goodies on offer including reading-agent cards, fridge magnets, stickers and spy pens that write in invisible ink.
Children who complete the challenge receive a special certificate and entry in a competition with the chance to win one of six brand new bikes. Each library is also giving away a £10 book token to local prize draw winners.
The Summer Reading Challenge runs until Sunday 10 September in all Cumbria's libraries and mobile libraries. People can find out more about Cumbria County Council’s Summer Reading Challenge by contacting their local library or visiting the Library Service's website at www.cumbriacc.gov.uk/libraries
Notes for Editors
Picture 1 shows a budding super-sleuth having their fingerprints taken in Penrith library.
Picture 2 shows Police Community Support Officer Joanne McGarr with Mr Bear and the children taking part in yesterday’s event at Penrith library.